'Quite sickening': Muhammad Ali's shock appearance

A fighting machine who cast a giant shadow across world sport - and politics - Muhammad Ali had no equal. But the Kentucky-born superstar with the lightning-fast hands - and even faster tongue - is barely a shell of his former self.

His appearance at a baseball game in Miami last week left fans feeling more depressed than inspired. The giant formerly known as Cassius Clay, who has battled Parkinson’s disease for decades, should have made his final public appearance.

Speaking on Fox Sports’ The Back Page this week, veteran journalist Robert Craddock described the sight of Ali, 70, shaking uncontrollably as he was paraded around the stadium on a golf cart as “quite sickening”.

It is especially tragic for those who recall the former champ in his prime. Ali the warrior often gave way to Ali the comedian and philosopher; his one-liners were as memorable as his fights.

“That boy even dreams he beats me, he better wake up and apologise!” he once declared of an opponent. When asked why he wouldn’t go to fight in the Vietnam War, Ali replied: “No VietCong ever called me n----r.”

But Miami Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said Ali watched the game with him last week in his private box and had a different take on his health.

"He was great. He's so strong," Loria said.

“I was holding onto his hands and he just about destroyed my hand. He is as strong as he ever was."

As the video shows, it’s a ludicrous claim - and Ali’s adoring public is starting to ask whose interests are really being served by such public appearances.